Sam EmanuelRichard Dade, whose father sadly of lung cancer at the age of 61, will be running the marathon to raise funds for The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, plus many others.Sam Emanuel

Richard Dade, whose father sadly of lung cancer at the age of 61, will be running the marathon to raise funds for The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Mr Dade, 40, of Earlham, has run three marathons before - in 2005, 2007 and 2009, to raise �7,500 for the charity.

The father-of-five, whose dad John Dade died of lung cancer 18 years ago, hopes to raise another �2,500 this year, said: 'This charity is very dear to my heart as my father died of this terrible illness at the early age of 61 and I do everything I can to bring in funds for The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.'

To sponsor Mr Dade, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/richarddade.

Alan Edwards, a Norwich City Council civil enforcement officer who is better known for his involvement in the Norwich Beer Festival, will soon be pounding a different beat when he runs the London Marathon to raise money for the Alzheimers Society.

Bill, Mr Edwards' 82-year-old father, was diagnosed with the condition and so the Campaign for Real Ale fanatic is hoping to raise at least �500 for other people with the condition.

He said: 'I have run three previous marathons, two London and one Bungay Black Dog. This will probably be my last marathon and as my father suffers from the condition I would like to do what I can to help him and others in the same position. I have set a minimum target of �500.'

To sponsor Mr Edwards, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/alanedwards.

A mother-of-two who experienced a terrifying nocturnal fit will take on marathon to raise essential funds for brain tumour research.

Kirsty Poundall from Hethersett is joining more than 30 other fundraisers in Brain Tumour UK's London Marathon team to run her first ever marathon.

She was diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumour in 2005 after she suffered a fit during the night. She said: 'It was very frightening as I was actually conscious, which is apparently very rare. Obviously I knew something was wrong so I went to the doctor and was referred for an MRI scan. They then discovered the tumour.

'It came completely out of the blue. Going into the operation was very frightening because I was thinking about the worst case scenario - I was worried that if I died my daughter might not remember me as she was only just three.'

The 39-year-old was admitted to Addenbrookes Hospital where surgeons successfully removed the tumour, and fortunately subsequent regular check-ups have shown it has not returned.

To sponsor her, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/KirstyPoundall

Norfolk accountant Stephen Reed will be clocking up the miles rather than the figures next month as he sets off on his first London Marathon.

He will be aiming to raise �1,300 for the John Grooms Court Appeal for disabled adults when he runs the marathon this year.

Mr Reed, 40, who is an accountant from Felthorpe, was inspired to do the marathon after hearing about the appeal to raise �680,000 for five new ensuite flatlets and a second lift.

He said: 'Livability enables disabled people to have the freedom to enjoy life, and knowing how important this is makes me determined to complete the course.

'Ever since watching the first London Marathon on TV back in 1981, I have always wondered what it would be like to be part of such an amazing experience, he said.

I decided when I hit the big 40 that I should have a go but it was hearing about Livability which pushed me into doing it.'

To sponsor Stephen, log on to www.justgiving.com/stephen-reed.

A Norwich woman whose mother-in-law was diagnosed with a little-known condition is running the London Marathon in a bid to raise awareness of the illness and money for a charity which helps sufferers.

Yvonne Jackson, 43, from Drayton, will be one of 109 runners raising money for the The Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Association, a charity which is close to her heart as her mother-in-law, Joyce Jackson, was diagnosed with PSP, a devastating brain condition that progressively robs those affected of their ability to walk, talk, see, and swallow, in 2008.

She said: 'At that time I was totally unaware of this disease. On learning about PSP, I wanted to try and help raise the awareness of PSP and raise some funding, which will help in the research which aims to develop a better understanding of the causes of PSP, establish the best ways of caring for people with PSP and develop an effective treatment and ultimately a cure for PSP.'

To sponsor Mrs Jackson, visit www.justgiving.com/Yvonne-Jackson.